Key Events

Thousands tune in to watch Katherine Jenkins sing

Thousands have watched an online performance of Katherine Jenkins singing in front of an empty Royal Albert Hall as she marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

The mezzo-soprano singer, 39, performed wartime favourites in the concert, which was streamed on YouTube.

Her performance also featured a virtual duet with Forces’ Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, who entertained troops during the Second World War.

In the pre-recorded concert, which was later streamed live, Jenkins sang Dame Vera’s We’ll Meet Again alongside archive footage and audio from one of her wartime performances.

More than 13,000 people have watched Jenkins’s performance on the Royal Albert Hall’s YouTube channel.

During her performance, Jenkins said: “On this anniversary, we are here to appreciate those who gave so much so that we could live our lives in peace and freedom.

“Today, the Royal Albert Hall stands empty, just as it did during the Blitz, without its true life force - the audiences who fill it with energy night after night.

“But the doors will open again, as they did following the last world war, and the music will play on.”

Before her performance began, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan delivered a message to mark the anniversary.

“Just as we united to achieve victory back then, I am confident that together we will overcome adversity again,” he said.

Jenkins said her performance left her “speechless” and was “one of the most incredible experiences of my career”.

She added: “I have sound-checked here many times before for my own concerts so thought I’d know how it might feel today, but it really was something special.”

The concert was in support of the Royal Albert Hall’s fundraising appeal and armed forces charity SSAFA’s Emergency Response Fund.

Last month, Andrea Bocelli moved fans around the world when he sang from an empty cathedral.

The Italian tenor, 61, performed on Easter Sunday from Milan’s Duomo accompanied only by the cathedral organist because of the coronavirus lockdown.

21:16KEY EVENT

The Queen's VE Day 75 address to the nation

The Queen has delivered a poignant message to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day - praising the nation’s response to the coronavirus outbreak that has filled empty streets with “love and care”.

As she remembered Britain’s Second World War sacrifices and the “joyous celebrations” that followed the end of fighting in Europe, the head of state paid tribute to the positive qualities of today’s generation.

The tireless efforts of NHS staff, care and key workers, and communities helping the vulnerable, reflected a nation “those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire,” said the Queen.

And she highlighted the message of VE (Victory in Europe) Day that resonates with the country’s plight today - “Never give up, never despair”.

Her televised address came at the end of national celebrations, curtailed due to the lockdown, marking 75 years to the day Britain and its Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender, following almost six years of brutal warfare.

Speaking from Windsor Castle’s white drawing room, the Queen said in her pre-recorded message: “The wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war, was to ensure that it didn’t happen again.

“The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends, working side by side for the peace, health and prosperity of us all.

“Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish. Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps.

“But our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.

“And when I look at our country today, and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire.”

After the broadcast, the nation was invited to open doors and windows and take part in sing-a-long of Forces’ Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn’s wartime anthem We’ll Meet Again, during the BBC’s VE Day 75 show.

20:51

Saturday's weather forecast

The weather tomorrow is expected to be bright and sunny with some showers in places. This is the full weather forecast for Saturday from The Met Office:

A bright start to Saturday, with cloud clearing eastwards. Into the afternoon, there will be sunshine and showers, sometimes heavy with hail or thunder. Warm, particularly in the sunshine. Maximum temperature 22 °C.

20:29

Gogglebox star June Bernicoff dies

Gogglebox favourite June Bernicoff has died aged 82 following a short illness, it’s been announced.

A statement from Channel 4 and production company Studio Lambert, issued on behalf of her family, said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox’s much-loved June Bernicoff passed away at the age of 82 on May 5 at home with her family by her side after a short illness.

Teacher who led Aberfan pupils to safety dies

Rennie Williams was a teacher at Pantglas Junior School in 1966 when a coal tip slid down the mountainside, engulfing the school killing 144 people, including 116 children.

After the disaster Mrs Williams’ “quick thinking” was credited for saving the lives of many of the children.

She put a desk against the wall by the window - and a chair on top of that - and helped many children to escape the disaster that way.A schoolteacher who saved the lives of many children during the Aberfan disaster has died at the age of 86.

Rennie Williams was a teacher at Pantglas Junior School in 1966 when a coal tip slid down the mountainside, engulfing the school killing 144 people, including 116 children.

After the disaster Mrs Williams’ “quick thinking” was credited for saving the lives of many of the children.

She put a desk against the wall by the window - and a chair on top of that - and helped many children to escape the disaster that way.

15:22

People from Dorset drive to west Wales to 'look at a boat'

Four people have been fined for attempting to drive from Dorset to Milford Haven to have a look at a boat.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers stopped the car on the A477 near Panteg on the VE Day bank holiday morning, as part of routine checks to ensure people are complying with Covid-19 regulations.

The car’s occupants told them they had travelled around 200 miles, and were on their way to look at a boat they were interested in buying.

All four adults were issued with penalty notices.

Inspector Andy Williams said: “While the majority of people are complying with the restrictions that have been put in place to ensure our own safety, we are still coming across a small minority who do not seem to understand the regulations.

“It is vital that, for as long as the restrictions remain in place, everyone takes responsibility for their actions and ensures they are only travelling when absolutely necessary.

“Our continued aim is to support public health by keeping our key worker colleagues, and the general public, safe.”

15:00

Cardiff is about to look very different

Extending pavement space into the road, creating temporary cycleways, and removing street furniture such as benches are just some of the options being considered immediately by the council as part of the ongoing Covid-19 response.

One of the biggest changes will be made on Castle Street in the city centre, where the traffic lane next to the castle will be removed so the walkway can be extended into the road for both pedestrians and cyclists to use.

14:12

Death toll in Wales rises to 1,090

The number of people who have died with coronavirus in Wales has reached 1,090 after 28 more fatalities were confirmed today.

A total of 152 new cases were also announced bringing the total of positive cases in Wales to 11,003.

Lockdown restrictions eased modestly

The First Minister said on Friday that the existing restrictions in Wales, which represent the strictest limits on the movement of British people ever seen, would continue largely unchanged for another three weeks.

But there were some slight changes to the ongoing limits with people now able to exercise more than once a day provided they stay local to their area and each period of exercise begins and ends at their home.

12:34

Changes to lockdown restrictions being announced

First Minister Mark Drakeford is making his announcement about changes to the lockdown in Wales now.